A tale of two window cleaning suppliers

You get a whole lot more than just a private message board…

But hey who needs any at cost printing or the proven marketing materials to go with it right? Yea hey while we’re at it who needs a graphic arts specialist to put your info/log/deal/specials onto those proven marketing materials for only $50 if you don’t have photoshop or the skills to do it yourself?

That $99 isn’t worth it at all yea? I didn’t mention any other benefits

Mike Radzik
Pro Window Cleaning
Central Massachusetts

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I wonder if other trades are like window cleaners…let me explain

“shipping” - Why is this an issue? Personally, I don’t care if it takes two weeks to get here as long as it reaches the destination. This is a frustration that is solved by keeping your supplies stocked. Sure, we can blame the supplier for seemingly delayed shipping but the reality is maybe we are not prepared as a business.

“Customer service” - This is important especially if you are new to WC. WCR has an edge because they were and in some cases still are window cleaners so their knowledge is more than just a memorization of product codes. Overall, with the exception of WF window cleaning supplies, what you use has more to do with preference than the difference in product. Buy it, try it and then decide.

We order from 3 different suppliers and with one product directly and I have rarely had any issues with any of them. I don’t like to talk to people over the phone to order my supplies and that’s why we order the far majority of our stuff through one supplier. With that said, the few times I have called about a product I call WCR and if I decided I needed the product then I ordered through WCR.

Long story short is seems like our trade complains a lot about suppliers…and I have a complaint about that :slight_smile:

Not everyone needs nor wants cookie cutter solutions so yeah 99 for just the pmb is high.

After being married for 12 years (3 kids), gone through over a dozen of employers in my life time, owned 3 businesses in different industrys, attended 3 diffrenet colleges, lived on 3 different continents…I think its safe to say that the human species in general is a complaining species.

We as humans are never really satisfied, some may argue but its true for most

I don’t get it.

Sadly, people spend more time complaining than solving issues.

He doesn’t think the WCRA is worth the money. And he is reciting someone who hates Chris’ line about a WCRA “buying club.”

Basically, HE doesn’t get it either, so don’t feel bad.

Exactly. The purpose of the OP was to point out my experience as to how two similar companies with similar failures handled a similar problem. The difference is clear, i think.

a.) not all orders are for consumables. some orders are for specialty items that are designated for specific jobs or situations. sometimes those situations arrive unexpectedly. prompt turnaround time and an organized fulfillment path from a major vendor is a reasonable expectation.
b.) shipping times aren’t really at issue here.
c.) i’m not aware of any complaining going on in the OP. more like a simple comparison.

I saved more on my last at cost printing order than it cost for my membership for the whole year. They were postcards for the second half of June. I would venture a guess that I have saved over 1k dollars this year on printing costs alone. The wcra is worth 10 times what they charge. What you get out is what you put in.

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Yea! Stick it to the man!

Mike Radzik
Pro Window Cleaning
Central Massachusetts

Sent from my iPhone using Window Cleaning Resource

What would be wrong with a “buyer’s club”? That’s essentially what Amazon Prime is… I flippin’ love Prime. And they don’t give me additional discounts and benefits after year two, or three, etc.

I would venture to say that most companies spend $1,000+ on new equipment and consumables each year. So 10% and free shipping will pay half your renewal fee right there ($199 for renewal to get 2nd year benefits).

And you’re not required to use “cookie cutter” designs in order to take advantage of at-cost-printing. You just need to upload a print ready file. Bam! There’s 25% + savings on your printing costs.

And the private forum alone is darn worth it. Everyone knows who you are (mandatory full signatures), and they’re more willing to share their trade secrets and speak candidly, since it is private. The focus is much more on building a successful business than just being a good or more efficient WC’er.

/Rant

For me it’s about contributing to the community that has given me such great information. How WCRA uses the money, I don’t care. I get a ton of free info off the forum (the non-private part) that I just want to show my appreciation.

The at cost printing will get you your money back really quick. And the 2nd year bonus of 10% off and shipping will definitely keep me in the club.

Franchises have agreements with an other supplier and they get a discount and free shipping (over $99). But this way we don’t have to pay royalties to get the discount.

What are the odds of two separate orders from 2 different companies placed at the same time, BOTH missing an item…

If you cant see the value, then it isnt for you!

Kinda like that saying “if you have to ask how much it cost you cant afford it” lol